Run Report ....

Fleet Air Arm Museum, Nowra, 26 July 2009 ....

The day started early for some of the participants who travelled from the Lithgow area and the southern tablelands to arrive for an 8:30am departure.

We left the Leo’s dinner at the Cross Roads at the designated time off 8:30am with a group of seven Toranas and an Audi for the run to Nowra. Andrew Squires had some starter motor problems but with some manful pushing was soon on his way. All went well until we reached Wollongong with a call from the tail car that Les had stopped.

We all pulled over and inspected the problem which turned out to be a broken bolt in the water pump causing loss of coolant and overheating.

Les made the decision to send the group on and we proceeded uneventfully through Nowra to the Navy Museum. This is an interesting venue and we met-up with Mike Holland in his blue car with John Boller driving the Silver Fox. Lance was in his element with all the aircraft on display and took many photos which can be seen on the web site.

Lunch had been organized at the Nowra Bowling Club which was a great venue with views over the Shoalhaven River while we ate a good meal with great service.

After lunch we proceeded to Kangaroo Valley and Fitzroy Falls and then Bowral and to the dispersal point at Pheasants Nest Mobil through the heavy rain.

When we first departed the Bowling Club I was following Michael ‘The Navigator’ Muller who took a wrong turn. Thankfully the balance of the group got it right and continued to Kangaroo Valley. Lance had decided to join me in the Audi and as we seemed to be entering rain forest and then heaven forbid dirt roads, we became increasingly concerned about our whereabouts. Michael Muller also disappeared of the radar screen and we were crossing flooded causeways and very steep narrow dirt roads. Finally we saw a sign that said Kangaroo Valley and relaxed a little. Then Michael magically appeared behind us thankfull that he had found somebody.

We had a beautiful run through the Australian bush which unfortunately all else missed and all regrouped at Kangaroo Valley for a play up the hill in the rain.

Unfortunately Mike’s silver fox with John driving developed shift linkage problems and finished its trip back to Batemans Bay on a tow truck.

Hopefully a good day was enjoyed by those attending, namely: Bob Byrnes, Les Wilson and Katherine, Rob, Leanne Farnsworth, Michael ‘The Navigator’ Muller, Ian, Cindy and Kasey Fitzgerald, Scott and Leanne Davidson, Andrew Squires, Andrew and Andrew, John Boller, Mike Holland, Lance Haslewood (Queensland), Larry Sullivan.

Apologies, Greg and Lexa Hawkins, Rob Shaw.

Larry

Photographs